Camping in Epping Forest

Tangled woodlands and forest trails lie within a tube ride of London.

97% (1024 reviews)

United Kingdom
—
England
—
Epping Forest

97% (1024 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Epping Forest

Community favorites in and near Epping Forest

Stories from the community

Weekend Trip to Shire Camping

Harry was the perfect host! He met us at the site entrance when we arrived and showed us to our pitch. The pitches are huge with plenty of space around them which makes the site feel private and quiet. It is in a beautiful location with two lovely villages within walking distance and lots of other attractions a short drive away. The toilets and washing facilities are basic and clean. We loved the minimal impact on the environment. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend and return.

Weekend Trip to Stockbridge View Campsite

We loved the area, campsite was beautiful, guys who owned it were amazing and came round everyday to check everyone was okay. I would definitely recommend this campsite to other people. Our only issue was there were people smoking weed near us which I feel in a family campsite was very inappropriate. However, apart from that I couldn't fault the place

Weekend Trip to Hook Farm Campsite

Fantastic campsite. Beautiful site, great walks nearby, and easy access to pubs/brewery and restaurants. The campsite staff were really friendly and helpful. Looking forward to coming back!

Weekend Trip to Hook Farm Campsite

Wonderful hospitality and a beautiful site. Myself, my wife and daughter backpacked into Hook Farm from London for a two night break. We were warmly greeted on arrival by Megan. We wandered round the site to select our pitch. Lots of choice, beautiful scenery, woodland and green grass. The natural and environmentally friendly ethos here is evident and refreshing. Some slopes to be aware of but entirely manageable; good to arrive on the earlier side to have the best choice. We enjoyed a wonderful Sunday lunch at the Fox. The owner, (my apologies for not recalling your name!) is a true gentleman and perfect host. I was looking for the easiest way to walk to the shop for a few food bits, he stopped his vehicle to enquire as to whether I needed assistance, we then had a lovely half hour chat about all sorts of things. 5th generation farmer, the 6th generation stopped by also! Genuine hospitality and friendly, warm people who care about what they do. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation, followed the cross country directions and had a fabulous walk to the shop, then again later with family to the Fox. We loved our experience and stay at Hook Farm. A gem of a place and made to feel very welcome. A treat to find a rural site that is simple yet beautiful without artificial noise and with just the right, simple facilities for a recharge.

1 night at Penn Meadow Farm

Lovely spot, allowed to pick our own 'pitch' - nothing marked out, just go where you want. It's a back to basics campsite as advertised and that's what I like. We recevied a friendly welcome and everyone on the site was plesant and stuck to the no music after 10 rule. Lots of families and a good atmosphere.

Weekend Trip to Penn Meadow Farm

Lovely campsite with great views. Plenty of space - over the BH weekend it was quite busy, with a whole range of different groups etc, everyone very friendly. my kids loved the resident sheepdogs, and the pigs. The toilet/shower block is very nicely done and kept as clean as possible, recognising it was very busy when we went. We'd definitely go back.

Weekend Trip to Ditchling Boutique Camping

We loved our stay, the pitch was easy to find and ideal for us and our dog. Conrad was a great host. It's only a few minutes walk to great pubs and cafes (all very dog friendly!). We got lucky and had clear sky's with stunning views of the stars. I'd definitely stay again

1 night at Ditchling Boutique Camping

Great spot! We only had time to meet friends there for one night but had a really good time. Kids loved it and had plenty of spaces to explore. Not far from the South Downs and only a short drive from Brighton. Near to a road but you really don't notice. Found time to sit around the fire at night chatting and looking at the stars.

Weekend Trip to Holistic Woods Campsite WILD

I really enjoyed my time there host was brilliant, lovely bit of land makes you feel like your really in the woods which was nice! Would recommend 10/10 for sure

Weekend Trip to Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

Beautiful setting, great facilities ! The site was clean, surrounded by trees, large fit pit in the middle. Loved it , would highly recommend - very peaceful.

Weekend Trip to Littleton Farm Campsite

Fab location, beautifully unspoilt, quiet, great for kids to explore around the campsite.

Weekend Trip to Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

Wonderful campsite that is a great balance of rustic and off-grid (no WiFi or electricity on the pitches) and creature comforts with amenities such as flush toilets, shower with hot water, washing up stations and communal kitchen with a little gas hob and fridge. We were two families with 3 kids ranging from 2-7 years old and they loved the little treehouse/platform, swings and badminton court, not to mention the firepit for s'mores and the gigantic space to run around. With Whitstable, Canterbury and Margate a short drive away, there are lots of options for day excursions and for picking up provisions, while West Blean and Thorden Woods great for hiking - the kids loved seeing various animals and finding all the little dens along the trail. We will definitely be coming back!

Weekend Trip to Holistic Woods Campsite WILD

Beautiful section of woodland. Great for walking. Plenty of choice on pitch.

Weekend Trip to Housedean Farm Campsite

I loved my time there! The campsite is easily accessible by public transport and the nature surrounding it is breathtaking.

Weekend Trip to Housedean Farm Campsite

Housedean Farm is a lovely site in the rolling hills of the South Downs and I'd recommend it. I'd also recommend booking directly with the site rather than through Hipcamp who will not stop emailing me. I need one email when I book a campsite - the booking confirmation. No matter if you opt out of marketing emails, you'll get at least five unnecessary emails as follows: "Enhance your trip with extras" "Your trip is coming up! Here's who's onboard." "Reminder for your trip to Grass Pitch" "Time to pack your bags!" "What did you think of Housedean Farm Campsite?" There's just no stopping the spam from this company

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

We had a great weekend camping with our 2 children - the setting was really lovely and a great addition being so close to a pub! The campsite is a nice size and there was a lovely chilled atmosphere when we stay. The facilities could do with an update as they are very basic and compact but other than that we thoroughly enjoyed our camping trip!

Weekend Trip to Whitlingham Broad Campsite

we loved camping here, the place is quiet and there is everything you need. Toilets were clean, there is a small shop where you can buy snacks. You can charge your phone for a small fee, and Linda is very helpful is sharing information and suggestions on things to do in the area. We had a great time and the children loved playing football in the field and building a den in the forest.

Weekend Trip to Shire Camping

Great campsite, extremely peaceful in a beautiful setting. Harry is super helpful and ensures your time spent at his site is relaxing, the pizza van on Saturday night is a perfect addition. We will definitely be visiting again in the near future.

Weekend Trip to Hook Farm Campsite

Lovely staff, so friendly and welcoming Nice quiet site, basic but just what I needed!

Weekend Trip to Otter Channel Campsite

We had a great time. Such a peaceful spot where you can do your own thing. Facilities are basic but very clean and well maintained. We much prefer little spots like these where you can have a fire and arent packed with people. Lots of lovely walks nearby and vineyards to visit. Katie was very helpful too. One suggestion would be a little note on how to operate the bucket shower, we heated the water on the stove and used that but saw a few guests having cold showers! Wouldn't hesitate to book again.

Star Hosts in Epping Forest

100%

(21)

Lordington Park Camping

19 units · Tents5 acres · East Ashling, West Sussex, South East England

Set on glorious parkland in the middle of the South Downs National Park, Lordington Park really is a wonderful countryside escape. A 15 minutes’ drive from Chichester, our rustic camping field has views over rolling countryside. Spectacular sunsets and sunrises can be expected on cloudless days. Escape the hustle and bustle of every day life in our peaceful rural campsite, with spacious grass pitches big enough for you to have lots of private space. Each pitch has a firepit for barbecues, and there is access to composting toilets, a shower block with warm water, and fresh drinking water. Please note there is no electricity on this simple site. Vehicles are not allowed to park on the camping field, but parking is provided a stone’s throw away. Wheelbarrows are provided to help you get your kit from car to tent. Countryside walks and cycle paths lead directly from your pitch. There are several pubs in the local area – the nearest being 10 minutes’ stroll away. We have a tea room on site, open Thursday - Sunday 10am-3pm. Near by local attractions: Goodwood Weald and downland museum West wittering beach Hayling island Portsmouth historic dockyard Chichester festival theatre Arundel castle Cowdray park Various national trust property’s And many more…

100%

(39)

Wild Camping in the Cotswolds

2 units · Motorhomes, Tents110 acres · Aldsworth, England

Nearly wild camping with acres of space hired on an exclusive basis

100%

(14)

Aylesmore Farm Campsite

1 unit · Motorhome, Tent2 acres · Shipston On Stour, England

Quiet camping on a Warwickshire hillside near The Cotswolds

97%

(174)

Beech Estate Campsite

55 units · Glamping, Tents25 acres · Battle, England

Tent pitch camping and wild glamping in a Sussex woodland hideaway

12 top campsites in Epping Forest

98%

(154)

Hook Farm Campsite

18 units · Tents10 acres · West Sussex, South East England

Blissfully back-to-basics camping in the heart of the West Sussex High Weald

97%

(190)

The Barn KT9

22 units · Glamping, Tents3 acres · Greater London, South East England

A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6

93%

(92)

Holistic Woods Campsite WILD

47 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Woodbridge, England

We are a WILD campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE

90%

(179)

Penn Meadow Farm

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents145 acres · Beaconsfield, England

Penn Meadow Farm is a beautiful 145 acre, family farm, nestled perfectly into the Chiltern Hills area of outstanding natural beauty. We’re just a 5 minute walk across our grassy fields to the oldest free-house pub in England (The Royal Standard of England) Say hello to our resident alpacas, sheep, pigs, pigmy goats, flock of 250 sheep and of course our lovely boarder collies. We aim to be a very relaxed spot to be able to rest for a few nights and maybe enjoying a nice camp fire in the evening. The site includes; Showers and Toilet block with toilet paper stocked. Open family pitches for you to choose where you want to set up Running drinking water Shared open kitchen Fires allowed BBQ's allowed To ensure everyone’s enjoyment and safety, please follow these rules: Supervise children: Always supervise your children and ensure they do not wander off alone. Clean up after yourself: Dispose of all waste properly in the designated bins and leave no trace behind. Wash any items you use and return them to where you found them. Respect other campers: Be courteous to fellow campers and respect their privacy and space. Pets: If you bring pets, ensure they are well-behaved, kept on a leash or have impeccable recall, and cleaned up after. Do not allow your pet to enter another camper's space. Quiet time: Maintain quiet hours between 11pm and 7am. All music must stop by 10pm, and noise should be minimal after 11pm. Campfires: Penn Meadow Farm allows fires; please use existing scorched areas if possible rather than creating new ones. Never leave any fires unattended and ensure they are completely extinguished when finished. Wipe your feet prior to entering the Bell tents to remove any coal that may have become attached. Cars/vehicles: Cars and vehicles can be on the field but should move minimally and always under 5mph. Car stereos should not be used for music entertainment. Drugs and Alcohol: Drug use is prohibited, and violators will be asked to leave. Consume alcohol responsibly, and do not drive or move your vehicle after consuming alcohol. We do not typically book Large non-family groups unless they are seeking a calm and peaceful stay. These groups must have authorization prior to the visit.

89%

(275)

Radcot Leisure on Thames

50 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Oxfordshire, South East England

A Thames’ island campsite in the Oxfordshire countryside – with a lovely pub just over the bridge

95%

(182)

Abbey Home Farm

21 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1600 acres · Cirencester, Gloucestershire, South West England

Eco-camping for real. Cooking on an open fire. Unspoilt natural beauty.

95%

(10)

Littleton Farm Campsite

20 units · Tents10 acres · Upwaltham, England

Nestled in a valley on the South Downs Way, Littleton Farm Campsite offers a secluded spot for enjoying the countryside. Welcoming tent campers only, the site offers non electric pitches with plenty of space for everyone to have some peace and quiet. Grab breakfast from the onsite Cadence Cafe, spend days exploring picturesque walking routes and evenings by the campfire. Arundel and Chichester are within 20 minutes drive. A great base for exploring the South Downs and all that West Sussex has to offer. For events at Goodwood or for walkers and cyclists on the South Downs Way, the site is also an ideal spot for escaping the crowds. There are 20 non electric grass pitches onsite, each welcoming tents only. Each pitch allows up to six guests, with plenty of space for tents and gazebos with no extra charges other than on a per-person basis. Unloading is allowed by the pitches with parking in the designated car park. Wake up to fantastic rural views and grab a bite to eat from the onsite cafe, which also serves a delicious cup of coffee. Days can be spent enjoying long walks in beautiful open countryside, exploring the charming nearby towns and villages, or down by the coast, only 25 minutes away. In the evenings, guests can cook up a BBQ or relax by the campfire. Please note, the site is dog free.

95%

(137)

Otter Channel Campsite

18 units · Tents3 acres · East Sussex, South East England

Spacious, nature-friendly camping with campfires on the banks of the River Rother

100%

(16)

Ditchling Boutique Camping

101 units · Tents6 acres · Ditchling, East Sussex, South East England

Hunker down in a historic village, surrounded by vineyards, hilly countryside and some rather spectacular views. With Ditchling Camping as your base, you’ll be on track for rural bike rides or visiting Brighton and its busy coast 25 minutes’ drive away. That’s because this dog-friendly site is in Ditchling – a village in the splendid South Downs National Park and a rather excellent location for all sorts of days out. Good news if the whole family is tagging along: there’s plenty to play with around the site, including an adventure trail through the woodlands, a swing tree and places for kids to fashion their own little dens. The site is only a five-minute drive (or a 30-minute walk) from the traditional Jack and Jill windmills and the neighbouring family-run pub, which serves both grub and good ales. A vineyard is 15 minutes’ walk away from the site if you'd like to include a wine-tasting tour on your break. Otherwise, simply pedal along country lanes on the surrounding cycling routes (it’s easy enough to hire a bike locally). On your route, you might want to stop by in characterful Ditchling, home to local craftspeople and winemakers. There’s a nice selection of independent shops here, plus cosy cafés and pubs that will serve you a good spread of Sussex food, all within a 5-minute walk. Back on site, end the day with a cosy evening beside the fire-pits. The site facilities are nicely straightforward otherwise and include warm showers and a separate dishwashing area and of course our newly installed Composting Toilets.

97%

(253)

Four Winds Camping and Canoeing

13 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

A small, friendly riverside campsite in Cambridgeshire – with campfires allowed

96%

(150)

Tomkins Farm

42 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents15 acres · North Chailey, England

Relaxed camping beside a lake on an East Sussex farm, with alpacas, llamas, and camels

96%

(581)

Chalky Downs

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Brighton, East Sussex, South East England

Traditional tent camping in a stunningly-located South Downs farm, just down the road from buzzing Brighton

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Epping Forest guide

Overview

Forest walks don’t come more impressive than Epping Forest, with 12 miles of rambling woodlands stretching north of London. Venture into the trees to explore miles of walking, cycling, and horseback riding trails; spot native wildlife; or play a game of golf at one of the two courses. Campers staying at Epping Forest can also explore the adjoining Lee Valley Regional Park, where activities include fly fishing and boat cruises along the Lea River. For a break from the forest, slip away to a country pub on the forest outskirts, or hop aboard for a ride on the Epping Ongar steam railway.

Notable campgrounds

Best for exploring: Debden House Campsite has spacious tent sites with fire pits, electric hook-up for caravans and campervans, and direct access to the forest’s hiking trails.
Best for peace and quiet: Lee Valley Campsite is on the western edge of the forest and has grass pitches with or without electric hook-up, as well as cozy camping pods and tents for hire.
Best for a wild camping experience: Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite lets you get back to nature, with minimal amenities, quiet woodland tent pitches, and hammocks swinging from the trees.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Epping Forest campsites and caravan sites can book up quickly, especially in July and August, and during school holidays. Early bookings are essential if you want to visit these times.
Unpowered tent pitches are more likely to be available without a reservation, but it’s still best to call ahead.
You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation; some sites ask for the full payment prior to arrival.
Be sure to check seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campsite. Some campsites open from May through September, while others stay open year-round.

When to go

Accessible year-round, it’s worth revisiting Epping Forest throughout its changing seasons. Autumn is magical under the colorful canopy of fall foliage, while springtime sees wildlife at its most active and bursts of wildflowers. Visiting on a weekday means you’ll avoid the crowds, but the park’s walking trails are always busy in July-August, as well as during school holidays. Pack sturdy hiking boots if visiting after rainfall, as the forest trails can get muddy.

Know before you go

Epping Forest is on the border of Essex and Hertfordshire, about an hour’s drive north of London.
Central line tubes run to Epping Forest from London, stopping at Ashurst, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, Hinton Admiral, Lymington, New Milton, Sway, and Totton.
There are about 30 car parks located throughout the park, many of which are pay and display.
Epping Forest Visitor Centres are located at Chingford and High Beach, where you’ll also find restrooms and cafés.
Wild camping and overnight parking are not permitted anywhere within the park. Fires and BBQs are also off-limits, except on private camping and caravan parks.
Epping Forest has several accessible trails, and all car parks are accessible.